Page 123 of Carter

I’m not supposed to drive until I’m cleared by the doctor, but how the fuck do they expect me to get there? My appointment is in two days, and I’m driving myself there, whether they like it or not. I’ll live.

For now, I eat my cheese omelet, then go back to my spot on the couch and put in a grocery order since I just don’t feel like going shopping like this. Putting on a shirt is too much work. A button up is easier to get on, but the buttons… don’t even get me started.

My phone rings more than it ever has before with Gendreau and Weber checking on me multiple times a day. Even Daniels checks in on me from time to time, tells me he can’t wait to have me back in the office. I think he’s looking good with how far wegot on that case, and he wants me back so I can close more of them. Of course, that’s my goal, too.

Trials and cases take forever, and I’ll be counting down the days until I face Jason Mercer in court. That fucker is going down, and I can’t wait to see it.

But honestly, I am kind of sick of hearing about it all. I want a moment to breathe and not have all this shit thrown in my face. I know everyone is doing it to keep me busy, because I am going crazy sitting in the house alone, but it’s not what I want right now. It’s not helping the way it usually does.

I end up falling asleep, and when I wake up, it’s late afternoon. My grocery order should be here soon, so I get up and make more coffee. Not that it does much for me these days. I’m so off my sleep schedule that I feel tired all the time.

My phone rings, and I groan, not wanting to deal with anyone, but when I see it’s Jericho, I pick it up.

“How’s the shoulder?”

“Fine,” I say.

“Is that code for hurts like a bitch?”

“Something like that.”

“Oh, you’re grumpy today,” he says with a chuckle.

“What do you want, Jericho?”

“Just wanted to see if you made up with your boyfriend yet.”

In a painkiller state, I spilled my guts to Jericho about Carter. Of course he listened. He didn’t judge. And he gave me advice. Not that I remember what it was after I woke up. Didn’t even realize the conversation actually happened until he brought it up the next day to see if it was real or I just made Carter up during a crazy surgery dream or too many pain pills.

“He’s real,” I’d said.

So fucking real.

“No, I haven’t, because there’s nothing to make up. I’m respecting his wishes and keeping my distance.”

“What you’re doing is being an idiot.”

“Jericho,” someone hisses in the background. “Don’t talk to your brother that way.”

“Hi, Miles,” I say.

“Nash says hi.”

“Oh, hi, Nash,” Miles responds from the background. “Sorry Jericho is being a jerk.”

“What else is new?”

“I am not being a jerk. I’m trying to get you back with Carter.”

“I don’t need you to get me back with anyone. Carter will come back to me when he wants to.Ifhe wants to.”

“You are so dumb.”

“I’m sorry, but you want me to take relationship advice from you? Someone who stayed married to the same prick for fourteen yearsjust because?”

“Now that’s just rude,” Jericho says.

“Oh fucking well. Cry about it.”